Driving Toward Bankruptcy? L.A. Is Almost There
01.21.2026
We should be designing Los Angeles for 2075, not 1975.
We should be designing Los Angeles for 2075, not 1975.
Opinion
It’s 2026: Time for a Comprehensive Plan for New York City
01.05.2026
Mayor Mamdani has the opportunity to finally provide a planning vision that supports residents and social value instead of the real estate industry.
Mayor Mamdani has the opportunity to finally provide a planning vision that supports residents and social value instead of the real estate industry.
The Twilight of the Starchitect
12.03.2025
The broad cultural impact of architects like Robert A.M. Stern is waning. Are influencers killing the celebrity designer?
The broad cultural impact of architects like Robert A.M. Stern is waning. Are influencers killing the celebrity designer?
No More Atlantic Yards!
12.02.2025
Can Mayor Mamdani embrace “social value” in New York City real estate?
Can Mayor Mamdani embrace “social value” in New York City real estate?
The Department of Education Has Classified Architects as “Non-Professional.” Why This Matters.
11.26.2025
The action is likely to reduce access to student loans, which will limit who chooses to pursue architecture.
The action is likely to reduce access to student loans, which will limit who chooses to pursue architecture.
Looking for Signs: Zohran, Good Risks, and Sewer Socialism
11.17.2025
Mamdani’s message: We don’t have to choose between moral clarity and municipal competence.
Mamdani’s message: We don’t have to choose between moral clarity and municipal competence.
Los Angeles and the Density Paradox
11.12.2025
The city is already overloaded with cars, yet it lacks the density needed for transit to work effectively. Moving beyond this stalemate is essential.
The city is already overloaded with cars, yet it lacks the density needed for transit to work effectively. Moving beyond this stalemate is essential.
Transit Stops Can Be Vital Places in New York City’s Social Life
11.10.2025
As NYC prepares for Mayor Mamdani’s free buses, officials have a chance to rethink some of the city’s most common public spaces.
As NYC prepares for Mayor Mamdani’s free buses, officials have a chance to rethink some of the city’s most common public spaces.
When the Wrong Design Happens, Who’s Responsible?
10.29.2025
No matter how brilliant they may be, architects are responsible for their acquiescence to clients, whose desires eclipse all other meanings.
No matter how brilliant they may be, architects are responsible for their acquiescence to clients, whose desires eclipse all other meanings.
In Praise of Urban Density
10.27.2025
A large population is a quality-of-life benefit, not a dystopian threat.
A large population is a quality-of-life benefit, not a dystopian threat.
Letter From Malibu: Chaos, Civic Dysfunction, and Looming Corruption
10.15.2025
City Hall controversies expose municipal rot, even as residents grow weary waiting to rebuild after the fire.
City Hall controversies expose municipal rot, even as residents grow weary waiting to rebuild after the fire.
Letter From Malibu: City Balks at Creating a Disaster Registry For Elderly Residents
09.17.2025
Though 60% of its residents are old, officials won’t assist in an effort to identify the most vulnerable.
Though 60% of its residents are old, officials won’t assist in an effort to identify the most vulnerable.
Letter From Los Angeles: ICE Raids and Fear Cloud Rebuilding Efforts
08.20.2025
The Trump administration’s actions are slowing, and possibly undoing, progress toward repairing scorched communities.
The Trump administration’s actions are slowing, and possibly undoing, progress toward repairing scorched communities.
Trump’s White House Ballroom Drawings and Numbers Just Don’t Add Up
08.18.2025
Changes to the White House have a long history of controversy, but this new project has some inscrutable details.
Changes to the White House have a long history of controversy, but this new project has some inscrutable details.
Eric Adams’ War on New York City Street Vendors
08.11.2025
A longstanding element of the city’s retail is shut out again as the mayor rejects a key reform.
A longstanding element of the city’s retail is shut out again as the mayor rejects a key reform.
The Myth of St. Gaudí: Miracle Worker or Great Architect?
07.31.2025
Even as he approaches sainthood, the man who “designed Barcelona” defies categorization.
Even as he approaches sainthood, the man who “designed Barcelona” defies categorization.
Dateline January 2026: Mayor Mamdani Unveils His Affordable Housing Plan!
07.21.2025
The new mayor creates the Affordable Housing Authority, bringing the power of government to bear on a problem that the private sector has failed to solve.
The new mayor creates the Affordable Housing Authority, bringing the power of government to bear on a problem that the private sector has failed to solve.
The DNA of Buffalo Has Changed—When Will We Finally Change With It?
07.16.2025
Local leaders continue to hold on to outdated assumptions about what the city is and could become.
Local leaders continue to hold on to outdated assumptions about what the city is and could become.
The Irony of Nigeria’s Resilient Democracy and Growing Legacy of Urban Tyranny
07.02.2025
Planning policies reflect a deep disdain for the poor, prioritizing elite aesthetics over social equity.
Planning policies reflect a deep disdain for the poor, prioritizing elite aesthetics over social equity.
The Perils of Walking in Connecticut
06.17.2025
Why should it be so difficult for pedestrians here to traverse a road or cross the street?
Why should it be so difficult for pedestrians here to traverse a road or cross the street?
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